Generation Quote by Donald Hall
“Generation on generation, your neck rubbed the windowsill of the stall, smoothing the wood as the sea smooths glass.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “Generation on Generation”, published in The Best American Poetry 2014
The poem likens generational influence to a sea smoothing glass, emphasizing subtle, continuous shaping.
In simple terms: Generations subtly shape each other.
Key Takeaway
Respect the quiet influence of predecessors.
Themes
family
legacy
nature
time
intergenerational
Mood
reflective
poetic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- parenting
- mentorship
- cultural transmission
- heritage
Key Concepts
metaphor
continuity
subtle change
Questions to Reflect On
- In what ways have you been shaped by ancestors?
- How do you pass on your values?
A Different Perspective
Change can be imperceptible yet profound.
![“And so you [young Americans]need to be the Idea Generation. The generation who's always thinking on the cutting edge, who's wondering how to create and keep the next wave of American jobs and American innovations, who's figuring out how to out-compete the Idea Generations of Indias and Chinas of…” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/044/barack-obama-17_always-thinking_and-so-you-young-americans-need-to-be-th_813000.jpg)
